On the Mayavaram Tiruvarur road after about 20 kms from
Mayavaram you will come to peralam in Nannilam from here the temple is about 1 km Take the branch in front of the Peralam railway station . I visited this place in 2005 and this kindled my interest of the temples
The temple is surrounded by verdant greenery( The temple is behind the greenery on the right)The temple was re built by Rajendra chola and Sembian mahadevi .The temple is built with the gajaprishti vimanam (elephant back style).
The legend of the temple is that Surya was cursed to be come dark and he prayed here to lord Meganatha for relief. It is also associated with Kartaru and Vinuthai the wifes of sage Kashyapa (who were the mothers of Garuda and the Nagas )who had an argument about the colour of Indra's horse Uchisravas .
The presiding lord here is Shiva and he is called Meghanatha Swamy and the goddess is Lalithambikai also called Santhanayaki. The Ambal Idol is five feet tall and installed over a Srichakra. As soon as you enter the first prahara you will see the Lalithambikai sannidhi on the right. the temple has a five tiered rajagopuram for the ambal There is a scene where Shiva is seen placating his consort this is known as shiva gangadhara concept. please see the link below for further info http://poetryinstone.in/lang/en/2008/08/31/please-dont-go-my-dearest-says-shiva.html.
(Anger)
(Coyness)
The Sun worships the Lord with his rays falling on the Lord from 21st to 27th of chiththirai.even now is it not a marvelous Civil engineering feat!
As directed by Hayagriva sage agasthiyar came to this temple and worshiped the God as done by the sun and saluted “Lalithambikai”. Yama also worshiped the Lord here.
Sage Agastya is believed to have composed Lalita Navaratnamala in praise of the Goddess here. He has also composed a hymn named Rahasyanamasahasram.this is also the place where hayagriva tells Agasthya about the greatness of Lalitha sahasranama
Saivite saints Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar have sung in praise of this temple
it is considered auspicious to sing Lalithasahasranamam here in the lalithambikai sannidhi
The ratham what a marvel!!
I happened to re visit on 26/12/13. The temple is undergoing maintainence. The Kurukkal spent a lot of time explaining the many legends of the temple . It was the birthplace of Garuda and Aruna, Vaali and Sugriva, Shani and Yama. Surya regained his lustre and wives here.
A few more snaps from Jan 2016 visit
Mikka Nandri, Azhagaana Varnanai
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeletehow to reach this temple from bangalore.
The shortest way would be to reach Trichy or Tanjore .From Tajore via tiruvarur you can reach the temple by road.
ReplyDeleteThiruvaiyaru not thiruvarur
DeleteDear Dr. Ravi,
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to read your blog. Just last weekend the four of us along with Mom and Dad had been to Mayavaram and surrounding temples. I was sending an email to Sundar about our trip and writing in detail about Lalithambikai temple as he worships her. I could not remember Arunan's name, and I hit google to search on the temple and chanced on your blog. Simply wonderful. With all smiles, Meena Suresh, Harrington Road.
Thanks for the coment Meena.the purpose of the blog is tohelp people know about these temples and experience the visit with full knowledge.
DeleteGreat description of the temple. I visited the temple a couple of days ago and was quite impressed with the ambience of the temple.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that this temple is just 2-3 kms from Peralam station (the road branches off just opposite the station) which is being expanded (with a second platform) to accomodate more train traffic presumably from Mayiladuthurai.
Thanks Sridhar for your coments and input about the peralam station .
Deletemy husband and I too share interest in visiting old temples like you ..recently we went about several temples in and around kumbakonam and one was Lalithambikai temple ..Did you also notice that the goddess here takes on "sampoorna" alankaaram ..? As in all the jewelry is actually wearable by the goddess here ..including the "kolusu' ! amazing and there is a story to this too ..
ReplyDeletethats very informative thanks ms.viji
DeleteThat is true Viji! The Kovil Shaastrigal very vividly narrated the incident of the lady from Bangalore who visited this temple after Lalithambigai came in her dream and told her to give her Kolusu to wear. On reaching the temple she informed the authorities and they were surprised as the idol there did not sport anklets and also there was no 'gap' in the idol to actually latch the anklets around the ankle. Imagine their surprise when they investigated and actually found a niche through which they could insert and latch the two ends of the anklet - apparently years of abhishekam with Chandan had clogged up the hole! Since then it has become an accepted practice for devotees to offer Anklets to the deity.
DeleteCould any of you give me the phone no of Lalithambikai temple.You could also inform who is to be contacted for archanai etc.I am from bangalore.
DeleteI am very glad Ravi shanker as well as Pratimaji are aware of these happennings.I am also a devotee of madurai kaaliamman of siruvachuur.
If possible please help
Dear Sri RaviShankar,
ReplyDeleteIs there a place to stay at tirumaiychur?
Lakshmi
As far as I know its a very small place no hotels. Nearest is Mayavaram/ kumbakonam
DeleteDear Ravi,
ReplyDeleteMy experience will be little odd, but since there is truth in all comments, similar to my experience I am adding to it, I usually read blogs and never comment. This is the first.
I had visited thirumeeyachur along with family while visiting other temples in kumbakonam. I do not know the story of the anklet or rather do not have full information about the temple, except that this is a temple for lalitha, I have never visited lalitha temple anywhere before so was curious.
Entered the temple, went close to her, stood there, saw her, was gazing at her beauty as while others were doing the same, so did I, my family members told me later, I seemed to have cried (tears running all over my cheek) for almost 10+ mins, sastrygal did not disturb me at all. I came out and was staring at all my family members. Do not why, and what made me to cry. Still wondering why?
I was very releaved from that day, again not sure, what was I releaved from?
While we think God is everywhere, I really believe she lives here in thirumeeyachur.
Padmaganesh
I have heard Learned people say the experience you had was your atma communicating with the supreme power. Since we do not have previous janma memories the atma which remembers was in action. You are indeed blessed as you have become relieved!!
DeleteDear Sri Ravi Shankar MAY 16th 2013 at 10:41 PM
ReplyDeleteWe used to visit temples in and around K Konam and Mayuram every year,While I was passing Peralam I used to notice Flex board with SREE LALITHMBIGAI photo on & Showing the directio to THirumeyachur,I used to notice Every time And used tell myself that we can see next time.On one occasion I took right turn which leads to Thirumeyachur,While i was proceeding to temple i have immense pleasure which can not be describe in words.We reached the temple an old Brahmin was narrating mahimais of GODESS SREE LALITHAMBAL,we were astonished (our body was in mayirkoochal ). I do not have any knowledge on sanskrit,I prayed GODESS to Read the LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM,now i read in the temple from my very next visit.I used to visit temple whenever I wish.Ihave not had a such a experience in my life.
COIMBATORE-641025
V VENKATESAN
Om Sri Mata Sri Lalitaambica namo namaha
ReplyDeleteSir what will be the hussle free route to this temple from Coimbatore. I am asking because the distance from cbe is just 292 km. However Google indicates the time as 7.30 hrs. Pls your comments on these.
ReplyDeleteThe distance between CBE to mayavaram /kumbakonam is approx 350 kms so 7:30 hrs is usual. The road conditions are excellent as I recently did two segments in a span of 1 month I presume you will use Coimbatore, salem, attiur, ulundurpet then vridhachalam Kumbakonam and Thirumayeechur. This is the bigger highway up to Ulundurpet this is 380+ kms but hassle free
DeleteThe other option is via Karur, musiri, trichy Tanjore Kumbakonam to peralam (approx 330 KM)where the journey is mainly in two lane roads. The segment from Karur to musiri trichy will be traffic laden and occupied by the sand lorries
i need the contact nos. of this place. Is possible to stay overnight ?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the telephobe number I am not sure hence not publishing here
ReplyDeleteRegards stay please look at one of my replies above
This is a very deep read for me. The Godess gave us an oppurtunity to fall at her holy feet in sept 2009 - not once more though we wish to
ReplyDeleteThis trip was very close to our heart, as we missed our road ( in the vicinity) and were going around for 1.5 hrs. when we reached the temple, they were doing the alangaram to the devi - we decide to see Meghanatheshwarar and come back. while at the eshwara sannidi, the power went off. We waited but to no help. We had to drive back to Chennai, so decided to have dharshan of the Devi in the lights of the Oil Deepams - what a Beauty - in Tamil Kankolla katchi
When we came out of the temple and took out our car, the power came. However, we decided to be happy the way she had wanted us to have her dharshan
A very beautiful experience with HER